How hard is it?

[qtrhorse89]

I posted this in the regular diy but it didn't get any responses so I'm going to try here. Exactly how hard is it to build a sump/overflow from the ground up. Let me blunt I know how to use a hand saw and a drill but that is the extent of my knowledge when it comes to diy things. Is this out of my skill level? The tank is a 120g and I was thinking on doing a 30g sump with pvc overflows and a spray bar for the return. Which is easier to attempt for a sump a glass tank or a plastic container? I have never attempted anything like this before so I am unsure on how to do everything. I understand the many pictures on the site but is there a literal step by step guide on here somewhere? Will a 30g sump be enough on a 120 to eliminate the use of the hob filters (my ultimate goal)? What size pump should I be looking at? I know I'd like at least a 7X turnover rate so does that mean I'll need two overflows with 1" pvc pipe? The main reasons I want to do this is A: the sole inhabitant of the tank, my female umbee, is starting to attack the heaters and filters and B: I don't think the HOBs can handle the size of her poops. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!

 

[geronimo69]

I just setup a 30 gal sump for my 150 (Fahaka home). It was easy. I used a 30 gallon glass tank and a cheap rollaway drawer thing from Walmart. the top section is scrubbies, bottom is sponge and porous rock. I use a Quiet 1 - 6000 to pump it back to the display.

I noticed your signature... Fahaka and Figure 8? I hope in different tanks? What size tank is your Fahaka in?

 

[qtrhorse89]

Ah thanks, the figure 8 lives in a 20 gallon all to himself at my office at work. He's only mine in so much that I set the tank up and do all the maintenance on it. The fahaka sadly did not make it. He was the sole inhabitant of the 120 gallon talked about above. I had him shipped at two inches but he came in half starved and riddled with parasites. After a four month battle with his health being off and on I finally lost him to a food strike I couldn't get him off of. After that I took a break from puffers and just happened upon the umbee who thankfully eats with no problem. I figure eventually I'll try again with a fahaka but no time soon. Thanks again for the advice on the sump, the more I read about them the more convinced I become to try it.

 

[davdev]

I am the least handy person on the planet and I haven't found it to be all that difficult. I screwed up my overflow twice, but I think I have it down on the third, and being that all it takes is PVC the screw ups have only cost a couple of bucks. The only tool you really need is a PVC Cutter, it cost me 11 bucks at Home Depot, don't try to do it with a handsaw, and don't get cute with the design, stick with the design in the sticky. The only thing I changed from the sticky is I made it longer, as the sticky one was too short for my tank. It seems to be much more stable if the bottom loop rests on the bottom of the tank.

The sump itself is simple as can be. One rubbermaid container, one 5 gallon bucket, a pump, some pillow batting and a whole bunch of scrubbies, or bioballs.

 

[qtrhorse89]

I think I can pull that off. Looks like this project is a go then. I'll just need to wait a bit and gather some funds. Any ideas on if a 30 gallon sump will be enough filtration for a 120 or does it matter more about the flow and less about the water volume?

 

[geronimo69]

I think I can pull that off. Looks like this project is a go then. I'll just need to wait a bit and gather some funds. Any ideas on if a 30 gallon sump will be enough filtration for a 120 or does it matter more about the flow and less about the water volume?

I'd hope so. I run a 30 gallon sump on a 150. It houses a Fahaka that is a messy eater.

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = <5

You should be plenty fine with the 30 gallon sump.

 

[xboroinc]

its eazy. u can use a tank or a rubbermaid i always go with 30 breeders or 75gallon tanks as my sumps. eggcreat and scrubbies do wonders

 

[dogofwar]

The completely idiot-proof way to build a sump is to build a reverse sump or "dump" filter.

You basically put a sump on top of your tank in a rubbermaid (or decorative plastic planter), drill three holes in the bottom of it...run a pump or powerhead from the tank through one of the holes (water input)...and two holes to drain back into the tank...and fill it with whatever media you like.

No dorking with overflows or drilled tanks. And lots more efficient than a sump (less loss of head).

Matt